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Brown Bear sow with cubs fishing for pink salmon.

Exploring Alaska's Coastal Wilderness

Example 8 Day Cruise aboard National Geographic Sea Lion
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Arrive in Juneau, Alaska and embark the Sea Lion for an 8-day exploration of coastal Alaska. This itinerary brings ample wildlife viewing opportunities including humpback whales, Steller sea lions, bald eagles, and more. Explore remote waterways by Zodiac or kayak for unparalleled views of the coastal landscape. Bike, hike, and walk for an up close exporation of the coastal forest. This itinerary offers optional activities each day! 
Kayaking Tracy Arm Fjord in Tongass National Forest.Three Killer Whales swimming side by side.Alaskan zodiac iceberg tour.Humpback whale in Alaska.Brown Bear sow with cubs fishing for pink salmon.
Highlights
  • View orca and humpback whales in Frederick Sound
  • Cruise glacially carved fjords to view glaciers
  • See glaciers calving & search for wildlife in Glacier Bay National Park
  • Hike and kayak the Inian Islands, home to Steller sea lions
Activity Level: Relaxed
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Juneau, Alaska | Embark Ship

Our Forest Service Special Use Permit for Tongass National Forest enables you to hike and kayak in wild and remote areas of Southeast Alaska. 
Explore the newly constructed Alaska State Museum, with its sprawling collection of natural history and cultural artifacts, and explore downtown Juneau. Settle into your cabin before dinner. Later, explore the port of Juneau on your own. 

Day 2: Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Voyage into Tracy or Endicott Arm, both spectacular glacially carved fjords. You’ll also pass the Sawyer Glacier, which has been described as bluer than any blue on earth, or the towering Dawes Glacier. If conditions permit, you'll use our expedition landing craft to provide unparalleled up close views of the glacier. Keep an eye out for harbor seals, porpoises and arctic terns. 

Day 3: Petersburg

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Search for humpback whales as we head towards the small, true Alaskan town of Petersburg on Mitkof Island. Explore a unique Southeast Alaskan ecosystem, the "muskeg," with stunted trees and carnivorous plants. There is an opportunity for optional flightseeing or bike riding. Enjoy a Dungeness crab feast this evening. 

Day 4: Frederick Sound and Chatham Strait

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
These waters are prime areas for both killer whales and humpback whales. It's not uncommon to observe their fascinating behavior — breaching, tail-slapping and variations on feeding — as you fill the deck and listen to the play-by-play from expert naturalists. Explore spectacular bays and inlets, following bear trails and salmon streams. Once ashore, you have the opportunity to walk along a quiet forest trail. The still waters are excellent for kayaking, offering another option for up close exploration.

Day 5: Icy Strait and the Inian Islands

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Cruise among the Inian Islands, where an abundance of Steller sea lions and sea otters reside. Hike nearby islands, kayak, and search for whales in the rich waters of Icy Strait. Conditions permitting, lower the ship’s hydrophone to listen in on the whales’ communication.

Day 6: Glacier Bay National Park

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Spend the entire day amidst the coves, fjords, tidewater glaciers, and majestic mountains of Glacier Bay National Park. Expect to see glaciers that end abruptly at the water’s edge and observe them “calving” — tons of ice crashing into the sea — accompanied by an exhilaratingly thunderous sound. Mountain goats scaling the peaks as well as harbor seals, Steller sea lions, and puffins are some of the creatures you may observe. A visit to Tidal Inlet may bring the sight of brown bears lumbering up the hillside. A native Tlingit interpreter joins you onboard to share the legend of the area.

Day 7: Southeast Alaska's Islands, Bays and Fjords

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Today, nature is your guide as you set forth with the flexibility to take advantage of wildlife and weather conditions. Stop at an isolated beach to take a closer look at tide pools, beachcomb, and hike stunning forest trails. Keep an eye out for old bear tracks worn into the soil as you move from forest to meadow. This area is home to the highest density of nesting bald eagles in the world, so sightings are very common. If conditions permit, do some kayaking, always watching for marine and terrestrial life.

Day 8: Sitka | Disembark Ship | Seattle

  • 1 Breakfast
After breakfast disembark in Sitka, southeastern Alaska’s only oceanfront town. Sitka has a strong Russian heritage, which is readily apparent as you visit the onion-domed St. Michael’s Russian Orthodox Church. Gaze up at the grand totem poles that line the wooded trails through Sitka National Historic Park. At the Raptor Rehabilitation Center, have close views of species normally seen at a distance in the wild — bald eagles, hawks, falcons and owls. After your visit, drive to the airport for your afternoon flight to Seattle.

Ship/Hotel

National Geographic Sea Lion

Dining Room

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
Sea Bird & Sea Lion's Category 1 and Category 1 Single Cabin.
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Cat 1
Main Deck Cabins #300-305. Conveniently positioned between the dining room and lounge, these cabins feature two lower single beds, a writing desk and a large window.
Sea Bird & Sea Lion's Category 1 and Category 1 Single Cabin.
Select a Date
Cat 1 Single
Main Deck Cabins #300-305. Conveniently positioned between the dining room and lounge, these cabins feature two lower single beds, a writing desk and a large window.
Sea Bird & Sea Lion's Category 2 and Category 2 Single Cabin.
Select a Date
Cat 2
Bridge Deck cabins #100-104 and Upper Deck cabins #200-212, 215. These well-located cabins include two lower single beds, outside access and a window.
Sea Bird & Sea Lion's Category 2 and Category 2 Single Cabins.
Select a Date
Cat 2 Single
Bridge Deck cabins #100-104 and Upper Deck cabins #200-212, 215. These well-located cabins include two lower single beds, outside access and a window.
Sea Bird & Sea Lion's Category 3 Cabins.
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Cat 3
Bridge Deck cabins #105, 106 and Upper Deck cabins #214, 216, 217, 219. These cabins feature a seating unit with table, outside access and two large windows. Upper Deck cabins include two lower single beds which can convert to a double bed and a pull-out

Notes

Single supplement varies by itinerary. A solo traveler matching program may be available but is subject to availability.
Kids under age 18 save $500 per person

Rubber boots are not included on your cruise; please supply your own. Rubber, waterproof boots that are mid-calf or higher, with a strong, ridged non-skid sole (essential for wet landings) are highly recommended. Click  here for information about rubber boots rental.
Included
  • 7 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 7 Dinners
  • 7 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • Non-Alcoholic Beverages
  • All airport transfers mentioned in the itinerary.
  • Use of snorkeling equipment, wet suits, and kayaks (where available)
  • Services of the expert expedition team and guest speakers
  • Shore excursions, sightseeing, entrance fees, and special access permits
  • Taxes, service charges, and tips (except for ship’s crew, at guests’ discretion)
Excluded
  • Gratuities
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
  • Additional Hotel Nights 
  • Private Transfers
  • Expedition Extensions 
  • Laundry 
  • Air transportation (except when indicated in the itinerary, as included)
  • Passport, visa, and immigration fees
  • Special and unique excursions such as scuba diving, flightseeing, etc. (where offered)
  • Alcoholic beverages (alcohol is included on select ships)
  • Items of personal nature
  • Phone and Internet Service
  • Gratuity for ship’s crew, at guests’ discretion (crew tips are included on select ships
  • We strongly recommend our guests to take Travel Protection Plan. A Plan with comprehensive coverage to protect you from cancellation fees, costs incurred due to trip delays/interruption, damaged or lost baggage, medical assistance, and evacuation during your travels

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Kate was great to work with in the planning stage. She was prompt, helpful, and efficient. Our tour guide, Edwin, was knowledgeable and passionate. We were very happy to have traveled with Adventure Life, it made the trip easy and a true pleasure. We could concentrate on enjoying the experience rather than the details of travel.
Lisa Bridge
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